Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Victor

Viewers of the 2009 Giro d’Italia who followed the race in its entirety can be forgiven for thinking the final outcome was a foregone conclusion following the Cinque Terre time trial.

Let me rephrase: I’m giving myself permission to say that I believed the race would end with an unsurprising Menchov Grand Tour win. He’d stand on the dais, get his trophy, smile, wave, yadda, yadda, yadda.

His forceful show of emotion at the finish—triumph after snatching possible defeat from the slick road left me slackjawed. In earlier stages, his ability to sit impassively on Di Luca’s wheel despite the firebrand’s attacks conjured Miguel Indurain’s uninspiring performances at the Giro and Tour more than 15 years ago.

It reminded me of the race it most logically evokes: the 1989 Tour de France, which, as you well know, ended with a Greg LeMond victory on the final time trial. Menchov’s 21-second gap over Di Luca gave him a 41-second margin of victory, and though that may be larger than LeMond’s was, the Russian’s jubilation was no less dramatic.

It’s hard, if not impossible to be excited for Menchov in the face of such jubilation. My previous assertion that Di Luca was the race’s moral victor was based in part on the utter granite-faced presence that Menchov cast. To see him yell and throw his arms was a fitting substitute for the traditional winner’s victory salute thrown at the line of a Classic.

I’ll spare you the anthropologic deconstruction that accompanied Michael Phelps’ whoop following his team’s victory in the relay at the Beijing Olympics. We get it: that dude is a badass.

I’d ask the question, ‘How can you not like a guy who shows such emotion in the face of victory?’ but it’s a big, weird world and someone will dislike him precisely because of his show of emotion. Instead, I’ll offer this: The surge of emotion that accompanies an uncertain victory can surprise even the victor and in surprise the revelation is what winning is all about.

...in order to really win il giro, you not only have beat the best that italia can throw at you but you have to make the tifosi cheer for you...

...ultimately, in the end, i think menchov did that...

...while every italian wanted to see de luca best the russian, i think they could appreciate the odds he was up against without a team to always support him...

...i don't see "his ability to sit impassively on Di Luca’s wheel despite the firebrand’s attacks" as simply that...to respond as he did, i think there were times when menchov dug deeper than ever before, whether it showed on his face during those attacks or not...

I'm aware of the accusations/allegations/rumors surrounding Menchov, Di Luca, and the others. At a certain point, if you are going to watch pro cycling, you have to be willing to just watch the action and enjoy it.

>>>> Perhaps Menchov crashes in the TT, however briefly, and loses the advantage we all expect him to have.

Some smart guy said that last week in response to the question about why DiLuca should keep fighting for 5 seconds here, 12 seconds there.

You *never* give up in a race if anybody is in sight in front of you. Never. Y'know why Lance was pounding it? Because in 12th, you never know when that lead pack is going to crest the hill, and stack it into the third turn on the way down. Might not happen, then again it might. Menchov was relentless and stronger, and thus deserves the win; but DiLuca was an exemplary racer. Chapeaux to both.

Appropos of nothing: I may be wrong, but I think it was Coppi who said something like, "we're not athletes, we're professional bicycle racers." He is also reputed to say he only took drugs when absolutely necesary. When asked how often that was, he said, nearly always. It's a tough sport.

Menchov's uncharacteristic show of aggression at the finish seems reminiscent of Landis' agression after his solo superhuman effort to win the TdF. Also seems similar to Cadel Evan's erratic and aggressive (I'll cut your head off) behavior.

If I had to guess, these guys are hopped up on something that's stimulating aggression.

Or - maybe it's natural to show some raw aggression after you win a brutal 21 day grand tour!

I really enjoyed this Giro. I loved the way di Luca rode, but I also really like Sastre's two wins. I liked Garzelli's racing and Pelizotti was pretty exciting, too, pushing ahead of his team captain.

The two sort of unthrilling riders were Menchov and Leipheimer. The former won a lot of my respect by just not letting di Luca go, and really, it must have been killing him. Di Luca was just attacking and attacking and attacking. I've tried to follow shit like that, and it hurts so badly. Leipheimer, on the other hand, was a snoozer, but then his style rarely gets you out of your seat, even when he's winning.

I also agree with Padraig about doping. At some point you just stop second-guessing and give up and watch.

I don't like doping, but I like the racing and the races more than I hate the dope. At root, I understand why they do it.

Just a note about the Tifosi...I am an American living in Italy. I watched the last TT in a hotel bar with a room full of Italians.As Menchov crashed the entire room yelled, "NO!!!!!"No nationalism, just Italians supporting a man giving his all for a win.

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Belgium Knee Warmers Defined

For many professional cyclists the Spring campaign is the toughest of the season; it means training from October until March in the worst, character-building weather conditions Europe can dish out. This weather and the suffering that is bicycle racing breed characters known as "hardmen".

Select cyclists tackle these conditions in shorts, long sleeve jerseys or short sleeve jerseys with arm warmers, wind vests, and shoe covers. A true hardman opts to forego the knee or leg warmers and instead chooses an embrocation to cover the knees. The liniment provides warmth for the legs and keeps the blood circulating and muscles supple. Embrocation and the sheen created is affectionately known as "Belgium knee warmers". The hardest of cyclists will sport bare legs in the most ruthless of conditions.

Belgium Knee Warmers are indicitive of the many subtleties that make professional cycling so enthralling.

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I spent 20 years of my life working in the bicycle industry, turning wrenches and selling bikes for some of the industry's best shops. I have extensive experience designing and constructing frames in both steel and titanium and have performed thousands of bike fits. I am passionate about bicycles in all forms. The bicycle provides me with physical and mental health and taps me into a social pipeline that allows me to share my passion with others. I ride as often as possible and love the flow of a hard group ride. Check back for musings about all things road cycling and, especially, the Spring Classics. The devil is in the details and I am an expert in the useless minutia that makes up our discipline.